The Kids at Latimar High
by Deborah J. Copeland
by Deborah J. Copeland
THE KIDS AT LATIMAR HIGH by Deborah J. Copeland
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 8/14/06
Publisher: iUniverse
Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"
Rating: 4 Stars
At first glance, THE KIDS AT LATIMAR HIGH seems to be another book about the ever present high school popularity
contest, or who winds up with the hottie boyfriend. On closer inspection, though, you’ll begin to see that the characters of
Lauren, Rosalyn, Kevin, and all of their relatives and friends are actually well-drawn and three-dimensional teens with lives of
their own.
Lauren has always been the studious girl, more concerned with her grades and her job at the school paper than with her
looks. Her best friend, Rosalyn, is exactly the opposite – a pretty girl who likes attention, and uses that attention to get what
she wants, which is usually the boy of the moment. Somehow the two girls have managed to stay friends, surviving the ups
and downs of attending Lewis Latimar High.
There’s even a “Girlfriends’ Do’s and Don’t Codes” for the girls to live by, which include such bits of wisdom as “Never
size yourself up with your best friend.” Which is all well and good, except that sophomore year at Latimar High has just
brought about a really big problem. Lauren finds herself attracted to football star Kevin Johnson, who just happens to be on
Rosalyn’s unwritten list of “boys I need to make my own.”
But is Rosalyn the only one breaking the friendship rules? Both girls will have to figure out which is more important in the long
run – a good-looking, popular boyfriend, or a friendship that could last a lifetime.
Although THE KIDS AT LATIMAR HIGH is geared towards African-American teens, it’s a great read for anyone
struggling to find the difference between what is right and what is easiest. Told in alternating points of view, this is an
enjoyable, engaging tale that will have you anticipating the next book in the series when you’re finished.
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 8/14/06
Publisher: iUniverse
Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"
Rating: 4 Stars
At first glance, THE KIDS AT LATIMAR HIGH seems to be another book about the ever present high school popularity
contest, or who winds up with the hottie boyfriend. On closer inspection, though, you’ll begin to see that the characters of
Lauren, Rosalyn, Kevin, and all of their relatives and friends are actually well-drawn and three-dimensional teens with lives of
their own.
Lauren has always been the studious girl, more concerned with her grades and her job at the school paper than with her
looks. Her best friend, Rosalyn, is exactly the opposite – a pretty girl who likes attention, and uses that attention to get what
she wants, which is usually the boy of the moment. Somehow the two girls have managed to stay friends, surviving the ups
and downs of attending Lewis Latimar High.
There’s even a “Girlfriends’ Do’s and Don’t Codes” for the girls to live by, which include such bits of wisdom as “Never
size yourself up with your best friend.” Which is all well and good, except that sophomore year at Latimar High has just
brought about a really big problem. Lauren finds herself attracted to football star Kevin Johnson, who just happens to be on
Rosalyn’s unwritten list of “boys I need to make my own.”
But is Rosalyn the only one breaking the friendship rules? Both girls will have to figure out which is more important in the long
run – a good-looking, popular boyfriend, or a friendship that could last a lifetime.
Although THE KIDS AT LATIMAR HIGH is geared towards African-American teens, it’s a great read for anyone
struggling to find the difference between what is right and what is easiest. Told in alternating points of view, this is an
enjoyable, engaging tale that will have you anticipating the next book in the series when you’re finished.